Tobacco-harvester.



R. N. KING. TOBACCO HARVESTER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 17. 1912.

- Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

R. N. KING. TOBACCO HARVESTER. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11. 1912.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

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I 'AIYOWILQ' R. N. KING. ToaAcco HARVESTER. APPLlCATlON FILED FEB. 17, 1912.

Patented Apr.6,1915.

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v SHEETS-SHEET 3.

R. N. KING. TOBACCO HARVESTER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 17: 19l2- I Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

TNESS RI N. KING. TOBACCO HARVESTER. APPLlCATIQN FILED $55.11. 1912. Patented Apr. 6 1915- 191 7 snnn'rs-snnn'r a Atfomey R. N. KING. TOBACCO HARVESTER.

APPLICATION men FEB/11.1912.

Patented Apz 6,1915.

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gum/M01 om'rnn s'ra rns PATENT orrios- ROBERT NEWTON KING, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

TOBACCO-HARVESTEB.

v Patented Apr. 6, 1915. Application filed February 17, 1912. Serial No. 678,269.

1 134 206. Specification of Letters Patent.

sembled machine. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view looking rearward. Fig. 4 is a detail planview of the stalk severing and impaling devices. Figs. 5 and 6 are side and end elevations respectively of severing and impaling mechanism. Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detail views of intermittently operated clutch devices employed to operate the stalk severingand impaling mechanism and also the support discharge mechanism at predetermined times in the sequence of operation.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT N. KING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tobacco-Harvesters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention elates to harvesting machines and particularly to tobacco harvesters adapted to automatically spear or spud the harvested stalks, stringing them at regular intervals upon a lath or other support upon which they are collected for convenience in handling during the curing process.

l'leretofore the operation of securing the plants upon the support or lath from which they are impaled in an inverted position has usually been performed by hand. So performed the operation is both tedious and costly and frequently results in serious invie ws of the yielding supporting means for jury to the leaves of the plant. ing spring and pitman. Fig. 16 is a detail One of the primary ob ects of the present v plan View of the pushlng mechanism for 1minvention is to produce a machine capable tlally shiftlng the impaled stalks upon the of automatically performing the spearing or needle Fig 17 is a detail perspective view spudding operation and adapted to secure of the yleldmg support for the upper enthe plant in predetermined spaced relation tremlty of the needle. Fig. 18 1s a deta1l upon a lath or other support and when a perspective view of the forward support for predetermined quantity of plants has been the removable lath and the swinging guide, so secured to discharge the lath or support by which thelath is conducted to its refrom the machine. ceiving position. Fig. 19 is a detail perspec- A further object of the invention is to simtive view of the rear support for the removplify the structure as well as the means an a le lath and he trip arm, by which the mode of operation of such harvesting malath discharging mechanism is actuated.

whines. wherebv they Wlll not only be cheap- Figs. 20 and 21 are side and end elevations ened in construction but will be more effirespectively of the cam guide by which the cient in use, automatic in operation and unreciproc'atory stalk shifting fingers are conlikely to get out of repair. trolled. Fig. 22 is .a detail plan view of a A further obiect of the invention is to reciprocatory rod and actuating arm for provide improved cutting means for severthe stalk shifting devices. in the woody stalk of the plant and for Like parts are indicated by slmilar charuerforming the initial piercing operation acters of reference throughout the several and for conveying the severed stalks to the VieWS.

' In constructing the machine there is emlath or other receiving member.

lVith the above primary and other inciployed 8.1113111 frame 1 composed prefers upon which is located a dental objects in view as will more fully aph h t e uprig t pear in the specification the invention consists of the features of construction, the arches 2 connected by a longltudinal bar 3. parts and combinations thereof and the The main frame is mounted cart-like upon mode of operation, or their equivalents, as carrying wheels 4: and 5 and is adapted to hereinafter described and set forth in the be drawn by means of a tongue 6 or it may be propelled by means of a suitable motor mounted upon the frame in the well known claims. I

manner. The carrying wheel 5 also consti- Inthe accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the assembled machine.

tutes the driving wheel by which the several moving parts are actuated.

Fi 1 is a detail view of the main drive clutch. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the as- Fi 's. 10 and 11 are detail plan and side- 30. clutch 18, whereby the gear be caused to actuate the support feeding and ,discharging mechanism.

35 mg and impaling devices,

65 mg members 27 and Mounted transversely pon the main frame is the main drive shaft 7, driven from thedrive or bull wheel by'means ofa sprocket chain 8 engaging suitable sprockets,

, 5 upon the drive shaft 7 and the drive wheel 10 a control lever 10 extending adjacent to the operators seat 11. Atit's extreme end the main drive shaft carries a crank 12 by which the cutting. and impaling devices are operated, while adjacent thereto there is loosely mounted upon the main shaft 7 a gear member 13 adapted to be engaged with the drive. shaft by an intermittently operated clutch 14,

' whereby the said gear 13 will drive the elevator or conveying devices for-the severed stalks. v I

Carried upon a medial portion of the drive shaft 7 isa cam 15 actuating a rock lever 16 by which the stalk shifting or spacing devices are in turn actuated.

7 ad acent to.

Carried upon the main shaft its opposite end is a loosely journaled gear member 17 adapted to be engaged with the drive shaft 7 by an intermittently operated member 18 will ,These several portions of the mechanism will 'now be described in detail. The severwhich are best shown in detail ,in detail views 4, 5 and 6, project forward of the main frame adjacent to the right hand side thereof. Projecting forward from the main frame member 1 are two substantially parallel arms 19 and 20. Located in suitable guides or ways in the arm 19 is a reciprocating head 21 carrying at its forward extremity a pivoted lever 22. Attached at one end to the pivoted lever 22 and at its opposite end to the crank 12 1s a pitman 23 by which the sliding head 21 may be reciprocated within its guides or Ways in the arm 19. The connections of the pitman 23 with the lever 22 and the crank 12 are preferablyby means of universal or ball and socket olnts as at 23".

In order that the reciprocating head 21 may be retracted with considerable force there is provided a helical retracting spring 24, one end of which is secured to the outer end of the pivoted lever 22, while the opposite end of said spring is secured to the main frame 1. The spring 24 is preferably inclosed throughout .the greater portion of its length by a protective housing 25 carriedupon the forward extending arm 19.

Pivotally supported jecting arm or bracket 26 carried by the reciprocating head 21 are hook-like support- 28. The hook shaped said member. a

*slot 33 in one arm of the pivoted engagement of upon an inward pro-' arm orbracket 26. he uppermost supporting member 27 is offset in relation with the member 28 or located somewhat back of The lowermost member 28 s provided with a Web 29 coincident with its lowermost surface, which Web 29 is provided with a sharpened cutting edge 29*, which, to sever the standing stalks, cooperates with a stationary cutting blade 30 extending intermediate the arms 19 and 20 and provided with a diagonal cutting edge 3O The p and 28.are in the form of a bell lever, provided with a lateral formed integral 28. and

being projecting arm 31 with the members 27 and carrying a stud 32 engaging in a lever 22. The construction is such that upon the initial rearward movement'of the pitman 23 under the influence of the crank 12 and the retracting spring 24 the pivoted lever 22 will be the reciprocating head 21. By the slotted the lever 22 with the arm 31 of the stalk supporting members 27 and 28 the said stalk supporting members will be oscillated about their connection with the arm or bracket 26 with great force causing the web 29 of the supporting member 28 to engage and sever the standing stalk' which may be in its path. A further movement of the pitman 23 will cause a rearward reciprocation of the sliding head 21 carrying with it the stalk supporting members 27 and 28 thereby accomplishing a result hereinafter described.

Extending forward of the arms 19 and 20 are two curved shoes or runners sliding upon the ground and independently supported upon flexible arms 35. These shoes or run ners 34 are formed divergent or flaring at their extremities whereby as the machine protects the leaves of the plants against entanglement with the'moving parts.

Carried upon the'forward extending arm 20 is a rigidly secured guide or abutment 37 adjacent to which extends the sharpened extremity of an impaling needle permanently carried upon the machine. The guide or apart against the tension pivoted stalk supporting members 27 oscillated about its connection with 36 which abutment 37 is preferably adjustable to and from the impaling needle 38. The impaling needle may be provided with a single 'alined sharpened extremity but is preferably formed with an offset bifurcated engaging extremity both arms of such bifurcated portion being sharpened and the lower armbeing extended beyond the upper arm as clearly as shown in Fig. 5.

To form an abutment for the impaling needle duringthe impaling or spearing -op-\ eration there Is provlded upon the forward extending arm 20 a pivoted arm 39 one end of which engages the shoulder or ofiset portion of the bifurcated extremity of the needle 38 in which engagement it is held by a spring 39*, while the opposite end of the lever 39 is engaged by a spring actuated detent 40. The detent 40 is in the form of a bell lever controlled by a spring 40" and is adapted to lock the arm 39 in engagement with the shoulder portion of the needle 38. The detent 40 is disengaged from the arm 39 upon sliding head 21 by the engagement of the stalk supporting member 28 with said detent as shown in Fig. 4.

The impaling needle 38 is further sup ported by means of a bifurcated pivoted lever 41 having lateralrecesses 41 in the bifurcated portion thereof within which recesses engage lateral shoulders 42 formed on the impaling needle. The pivoted arm 41 is held in engagement 42 of the needle by means of a spring 43 and is further locked in its movement by the engagement of a shoulder 44 on said pivoted lever 41 with a corresponding shoulder upon a second pivoted lever 44. The levers 44 and 41 are connected by a link 45 whereby a movement of the lever 44 will not only unlock the lever 41 by disengaging the shoulders 43 but will operate through the links 45 to oscillate the arm 41 out of engagement with the lateral shoulders 42 of the needle. The impaling needle 38 extends substantially horizontally to a point in the rear of the pivoted bifurcated arm 41 from where it extends diagonally upward and laterally to a point'substantially level with the top of the super-structure of the main frame and thence extends rearward as hereinafter described.

Pivotally. carried upon the forward portion of the arm 19 is a trip arm 46 extending beneath the shoes or runners 34 and into the path of the stalk to be harvested as said shoes pass upon either side thereof.

Attached to the trip arm 46 is a rearward extending link 47 adapted by its reciprocation to cause the operative engagement of the clutch intermittently operative clutch 14 is similar to the clutch 18 which is illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. These clutches both com- 'The driven member,

the rearward reciprocation of the with the shoulders 14. In constructionthe prise a driving member 48 secured upon the shaft 7 and a driven member which in the present instance may be the gear 13 or the gear 17 loosely mounted on the shaft 7. either the gear 13 or 17 carries therein a spring actuated plunger 49 "adapted when released to engage any one of a series of holes 50 in the driving member 48.. The plunger 49 is provided with the head 51 adapted to engage a cam face upon an arm 53 pivoted upon the main frame 1 and movable into and out of the path of the spring actuated plunger 49 as the driv ing member 48 is rotated. The extremity of the pivoted arm 53 is hook shaped to form a detent adapted to rest the movement of the driven member when the spring actuated plunger 49 has been withdrawn from the driving member by the cam like action of the cam face 52. An oscillation of the pivoted arm 53 withdraws said arm from engagement with the head 51 of the plunger 49 permitting the plunger to engage the corresponding clutch member under the influence of its actuating spring. The reciprocation of the link 47 upon the oscillation of the trip arm 46 by its engagement with the stalk to be harvested causes a correspond- The movement of the link 47 is against the tension of a retracting spring 47 The reciprocating link 47 carries two tappets 54 and 55. The reciprocation of the link 47 causes the tappet 55 to engage and release a pivoted latch 56 which normally engages and locks the stalk supporting member 28 in its normal or set position. A slight further movement of the link 47 causes the tappet 55 to engage and release a pivoted latch 57 which engages a lip 58 upon the reciprocating head 21 to normally look said head against rearward movement. The operation of this portion of the mechanism is as follows; as the machine advances the shoes or runners 34 pass upon either side of the standing stalk which as the machine con. tinues to advance enters between saidshoes or runners 34 forcing said shoes outward against the tension of the supporting arms 35, and finally engages and oscillatesthe trip arm 46. The oscillation of the trip arm 46 operates through the links 47,7150 operatively engage the clutch 14 to connect the several parts with the main drive shaft 7 and at the same time the tappet 54 disengages the latch 56 thereby"releasing the stalk members 27 and 28. The stalk supporting to coeperate with the cutting edge 30 of the 9 ing needle 38.

stationary knife 30 to sever the stalk which is forced laterally into contact with the stationary abutment or guide 37, against Which it is pressed bythe member 28 with the severed end of the stalk resting upon the web portion 29 of said member.' The stalk engaging member 28 engages the stalk in a plane below the level of the impaling needle 38 while the stalk supporting member 27 engages the stalk in a plane above said needle. The stalk supporting member 27 being offset in relation to the member 28 engages and supports the lower leaves of the plant without puncturing or injuring the leaves.

It is to be understood that the stationary guide or abutment 37 is adjusted away from the impaling needle 38 a distance substantially equal to one half the diameter of the average stalk K to be harvested. The stalk having been severed and carried laterally to a position in contact with the guide or abutment 37 by the swinging action of the stalk supporting members 27 and 28, head 21 is carried rearward by the continu ous movement of the pitman 23 and the action 'of the retracting spring 24 and after the pivoted lever 22 has been oscillated to actuate the supporting and severing members 27 and 28. Upon its retrograde movement the sliding head 21 carries with it the stalk supporting members 27 and 28 which in turn carry the severed stalk, drawing the same along the guide or abutment 37 and upon the sharpened extremity of the impalneedle 38 is so adjusted in relation to the guide or abutment 37 that it will engage and pierce the stalk substantially upon the center or medial line. As shown in Fig. 5 the stalk will be engaged and pierced by the lowermost or longest tine of the bifurcated portion of the needle extremity and after such extended tine has passed through the stalk the shorter pointed tine will engage the stalk at a higher point and pierce the same thereby enlarging the opening made by the initial tine. As the sliding head 21 moves rearward the stalk supporting members 27 and 28 draw the severedstalks upon the sharpened extremities of the needle until the supporting member 28 engages and oscillates the detent 40 to release the needle supporting arm 39 whereupon the stalk continuing to move upon the needle engages and oscillates the arm 39 against the tension of its spring 39 pressing said arm out of the path until the stalk has moved there beyond supportingthe sliding will engage the stud 64 but will yield against As before stated the impaling' deflected arm or bracket 60 carried by the forward extended arm 19. The pusher arm 59 is provided with a pivoted head 61 to engage the stalk and as the arm 59' is oscillated, advance the stalk upon the needle 38. The pusher arm 59 18 provided with a retracting To oscillate the pusher arm 59 there is provided upon the sliding head 21. an outward projecting arm 62 having a pivoted spring actuated extension 63 adapted to yield against its spring when pressed in one direction but to resist movement when pressed in the opposite direction.

There is provided in one arm. of the push lever 59 a stud 64L projecting into the path of the pivoted spring actuated extension 63 of the arm 62. he construction is such that upon. the retrograde movement of the sliding head 21 the pivoted extension 63 the tension of the spring thereby permitting the arm 62 and its extension 63 to pass beyond the stud 64.

Upon the return or forward movement of the sliding head 21 the pivoted extension 63 of the arm 62 will engage the stud 64- and as the head 21 continues to move the extension 63 will oscillate the pusher lever 59 to cause the head'61 to engage and advance the impaled stalk upon the needle 38. The arm 62, and its extension 63 will continue to actuate the pusher lever 59 until the stud 64 reaches a position where-it slips 63 whereupon the retractory spring 59*. will return the pusher lever 59 to its normal position. The impaled stalk having been advancedby the pusher arm 59 to the point where the impaling needle is inclined upward and laterally the stalk will be engaged by the elevating or conveyer mechanism which will continue to advance the stalk up the inclined portion of the needle. It is to be understood however thatas the stalk is being advanced by the pusher lever 59 the butt of the stalk projecting beneath the impaling needle 38 engages a curved or cam like portion 65 of the guide or abutment 37 whereby the lower portion of the stalk is 66. The leaves of the stalk will rest upon.

over the extremity of the pivoted extensionv inward thereby turning the top and be supported by the shield 66 asthe and with it the arm 74 to normal position stalk advances throughout the length of the where the arm 7 4 again engages the impalimpaling needle 38. Mounted upon suitable ing needle. The impaled stalk continuing brackets uponthe main frame of the mato advance then engages and operates the chine are two sprocket wheels 67 and 68 second set of needle supporting devices in upon which is carried a sprocket chain 69 exactly the same manner. The construction having thereon U shaped fingers 70 which is such that the impaling needle will at all straddle the inclined portion of the needle time be supported by one set of the holding 38. The sprocket 67 is driven from the gear devices shown in Fig. 10. While the first member 13 upon the main drive shaft 7 by set is disengaged to permit the passage of means of the pinion 71 which meshes with the stalk the needle is being supported by said gear member 13. The fingers 70 are. the second set of such holding devices and adapted to engage the impaled stalk in the before the second set of such holding deposition in which it is left by the pusher vices are disengaged from the needle the arm 59 and as the sprocket chain 69 travels first set of such holding devices is then reso upward the fingers 70 push the impaled turned to its engagement therewith.

stalk up the inclined portion of the needle The impaled stalks are shifted from the 38. At its upper extremity the needle 38 is upper rear portion of the impaling needle bent rearward and terminates in a bifurca- 38 onto the removable l'ath or support 73 and tion or pocket in which engages one end of are slidingly moved throughout the length 35 a supporting lath 7 3 which forms a detachof the lath to proper spaced relation thereon aible continuation of the permanent needle by means of a-reciprocating shift rod 79 car- 38. A supply of the removable laths or rying a seriesof spaced fingers 80. The supports 73 is carried in a suitable receiver shift rod 79 is mounted in suitable bearings upon the super structure of the main frame 81 upon the main frame Within which bearl and adapted to be fed singly by lath feedings it is capable of a reciprocatory and ing mechanism hereinafter described from also oscillatory .movement. The fingers 80 said receiver into a position in alinement carried by the reciprocating rod 79 extend with the needle 38 to receive the impaled transversely to point beyond the rear porstalks. tion of the impaling needle 38 and the lath The needle 38 is supported at its upper or other support 73 and across the path of extremity by a double set of supporting detravel of the stalks. The reciprocating rod vices adapted to yield to permit the passage 79 also carries an arm 82 engaging in a of the impaled stalks These yielding supsuitable cam slot in a plate or housing 83 porting devices are shown in detail in Figs. carried on the main frame. The cam slot 10 and 11. Each of thesupporting devices in the member 83 is so shaped that upon comprises a pivoted arm 74 carried upon the rearward movement of the rod 79 the a bracket 75 projecting from the frame of fingers 80 carried thereby will engage and the machine. The arm 74 extends through shift the impaled stalk upon the lath 7 3 a slot 76 in the needle 38. The extremity by pushing said stalks in advance of the of the pivoted arm 74 is notched or recessed fingers 80. However upon the return movewhereby it will engage both sides of the ment of the reciprocating rod 79 the arm needle 38 at one end of the slot 7 6. The 82 enters a portion of the cam slot which engagement of the notched or recessed excauses the reciprocating rod 79 to be osciltremity with the opposite sides of the needle lated, thereby lifting the fingers 80 above 1 0 38 prevents lateral variation of the needle the level of the butts of the impaled stalks while the engagement of the arm within the while said rod is being returned to its origislot prevents vertical displacement thereof. nal position. At the limit of the return livotally carried upon the bracket 7 5 adj amovement of the shift rod 79 the fingers 8O cent to the supporting arm 7 a is a trip arm are again returned to position to engage the 5 77 extending beyond the needle 38 and impaled stalk by the movement of the arm across the path of the advancing stalks. 82- within the said cam slot.

When the impaled stalk engages the trip The shift rod 79 is operated at proper inarm 77 it oscillates said arm against the tentervals by means of a bell lever 8 L pivote sion of its retracting spring 77. The oscilupon the main frame one arm of which enlation of the trip arm 77 is transmitted gages said shift rod 79 while the other arm through the link 78 to the supporting arm of the bell lever is connected by a link 85 7 4 which is thereby oscillated in unison with with the rock lever 16 which is in turn actuthe trip arm 77 to withdraw the notched ated by the cam 15 carried upon the main or recessed end of the supporting arm 74: drive shaft 7. o

from engagement withv the needle. As the As the impaled stalks are shifted upon the impaled stalk continues to advance upon the lath or support 73 of their final position needle it passes beyond the range of movethe rearmost or term1nal stalk Wlll engage a ment of the trip arm 77 whereupon the retrip lever 86 p voted upon the main frame tracting spring 77 returns the trip arm 77 at 87 and pro ect1ng lnto the path of the 130 moving impaled stalk: The tri lever 86 is connected by a link 88 with a ll lever 89 i to operatively engage the J teeth 35 gltudinal shaft 103.

pivoted upon the main is connected by a link with the trip lever 33 of the clutch 18 carried upon the main drive shaft 7 The oscillation of the trip lever 86 by the movement'of the rearmost stalk to its final position operates through the link 88, the bell lever 89, the link 90 and the trip lever 33 to cause the clutch 18 gear 17 with the main shaft 7 ,and thereby actuate the lath feeding and discharging gear 17 meshes with a corresponding gear 91 upon the shaft of which is carried a crank 92 connected by a link 93 with a second crank 94 secured upon the extremity of a longitudinal rock shaft 95. r

A supplemental supply of removable laths 73 is carried in suitable guides or supports 96 upon the the support 96 in a downward direction by the means of vertically moving plungers 97. The supply of laths within thesupport 96 is advanced as each lath is fed therefrom by k follower 98. operated by 'a weight 99 attached to a cord 100 101 whereby the weight 99 will cause the follower 98 to press toward the ejectorstor plungers 97. The plungers or ejectors 97 have a series of rack diormed in one face therieof andlenage y gear pinion 102 carrie upon a on- The rock shaft carries at its rear end an arm 104 to which is connected an actuating bar 105'having near its-extremity a series of rack teeth engagin a gear pinion 106 mounted adjacent to the rear extremity of the rock shaft 103. The gear 106 is loosely journaled upon shaft 103 and carries upon an extension of said gear pinion a ratchet pawl 107 adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 108 secured upon the shaft 103. The construction is such that the actuating bar 105 ma .be operated in one direction independent 0 but when operated in the opposite direction will rotate said shaft 103. As the actuating bar 105 is operated upward the gear pinion 106 will rotate free upon the shaft 103, the pawl 107 riding freely over the ratchet wheel 108. owever upon a downward movement of ,the actuating bar 105 the gear pinion 106 will be actuatedjin the opposite direction causing the pawl 107 to engage the ratchet wheel 108 and thereby rotate the shaft 103. This movement of the shaft 103 carries with it the gear-pinions 102 which engage and reciprocate the plungers or ejectors 97. Inasmuch as the pinion 106 rotates free upon the return movement of the actuating bar 105 a retractory spring 97 vided upon the shaft 103 to return the plungers 97 I frame which in turn mechanism. The

top of the mam frame. The' laths 73 are fed singly from means of a passing over pulleys the supply of lathsthe rock shaft 103' is pro- The ,plungers or ejectors 97 are so shoulderedadjacent to their lower ends where theywill engagethe foremost lath or support carried upon the supports or guides 96 and asthe plun er is forced downward will carry the lath rom the support 96 down- .ward

rear end of the impaling needle'38.

I The'lath 73 during its'downward movement from the support 96 to its operative position in alinement with the needle 38 is guided -by means 5 of 7 suitable vertical guides 109 and'llO. The guide 109 at portion of the main frame is pivoted to permit the guide to yield and swing out of the path of-theadvancing impaled stalk.

en-inits operative position the support or lath 73 engages at one end in the re-' cess' or pocketed extremity 111 of the impaling needle. 38 while the opposite end is sup ported by a swinging hook 112.' The supporting hook 112 is connected by a link 113 with the oscillating trip lver 86 whereby the movement of the trip lever 86 which serves to operatively connect the clutch 1 8 to actuate the lath feeding and discharging mechanism as hereinbefore mentioned and also operates the hook support 112 to release the support or lath 73'upon which the predetermined quantity of stalks has been collected. r

r In order ,to discharge the support 73 and the stalks impaled thereon from the machine there is provided for receiving the loaded lath when it is released by the disengagement of the hook member 112, mecha-. nisr'n' adapted to lift the lath and its atto aposition in, alinement with the the forward tached stalks laterally over the carrying r wheel 5 and lay the stalks gently upon the ground beyondthe path of the machine as it makes its'succeeding trip across the field. This lath discharging mechanism includes two arms 114 and 115 rigidly secured upon the rock shaft 95 and. adapted to-oscillate therewith. Journaled in suitable bearings in the arms 114 and 115 is a shaft 116 carrying two parallel arms 117 which are bifurcated at th 118 and are connected one with the other byv transverse rods or bars 119 forming an oscil 'lating frame journaled in the bearings in the arms 114 and 115. v v Rigidly secured concentric with the bearingsof the rock shaft 95 in the main frame of themachine is a gear segment 120 with which meshes a gear pinion 121 carried upon a shaft 122 journaled in suitable beareir upper extremities as shown at lngs in the arm 115. The shaft 122 carries tary movement which is transmitted by the gear-members 123 and 124 to the shaft 116.

' By this means the shaft 116 and the frame formed by the arms 117 and the transverse bars 119 is oscillated in its bearings in the arms 114 and 115 independent of the shifting movement due to the oscillation of said arms 114 and 115.

In their normal position 3 the oscillating arms 114 and 115 and the swinging frame arm 117 are located to one side of and out of the path of the impaled stalks as they are slidingly adjusted upon the support or lath 73. The crank members 92 and 94 are so adjusted in relation to each other that upon the operative engagement of the clutch 18 the initial movement of the crank 94 will be inward or toward the impaled stalks carrying the operative arms 114 and 115 and the swinging frame inward to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3 with the bifurcated ends of the arms 117 immediately below the support 7 3 ready to receive said support when released by the supporting member 112. The further rotation of the crank 92 operating through the link 93 and the crank 94 causes the roc shaft 95 and the operating arms 114 and 115 to swing outward. As the arms 114 and 115 swing outward the gear pinion 121 traveling over the stationary gear member 120 causes the swinging frame comprising the arms 117 and transverse bars 119 to rotate upon the bearings of the shaft 116 of said arms carrying with it the lath or support 73 which is then engaged in the bifurcated extremity 118 of the arm 117 and the impaled stalk carried by said support or lath and which rests upon the transverse bars 119. As the arms 114 and 115 continue to oscillate outward the swinging frame reverses itself lifting the impaled stalk over the carrying wheel 5 and deposits the lath paled stalk gently upon the ground at one side of and beyond the path of travel of the machine. As the swinging frame reaches its final position the lath 73 is disengaged from the bifurcated extremity 118 by gravity. By this means the support and the attached stalk are automatically removed.

from the machine when a predetermined number of plants the support, the plants being supported during their discharge by the swinging frame whereby they will not be bruised or mutilated by coming in contact with the carrying wheel 5 or the diving .chain 8 and will be gently deposited upon the ground without injury to the plant.

While in order to comply with the statute,

the invention has been described in lan-* guage more or, less specific as to certain structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific details, but obviously is susceptible to as shown in Fig.

and imhave been secured upon modifications in its form, proportion, detail *olved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

It is therefore to be understood that the means and mechanism herein described comprise but one mode of putting the invention into eflect and the invention is therefore claimed broadly in any of its possible forms or modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus claim:

described my invention, 1

1. In a harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, severing devices for the stalks, a removable support for the severed stalks carried upon the main frame in a plane above that of the severing devices, and an inclined needle extending from a point adjacent to the severing devices to the removable support with which it registers, and means for shifting the impaled stalks throughout the length of the needle onto the support, substantially as specified.

'2. In a harvesting machine, a-traveling main frame, stalk severing means carried thereby, a reciprocating supporting member for the stalk to be harvested, means to thrust said supporting member to a position to engage the forward side of the stalk to be harvested prior to the severing thereof, means to retract said supporting member in relation to the main frame and an impaling needle projecting in proximity to the severing devices and into the path of the supporting member upon which the stalk is drawn by the retrograde movement of the support.

3. In a harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, stalk severing and impaling devices, a reciprocating head, stalk engaging means carried by the head and capable of movement laterally into and out of alinement with the stalk in addition to its reciprocatory movement in unison with the head and adapted to form an abutment for the stalk during the stalk impaling operation, actuating means for moving the stalk engaging meansf filaterally into alinement with the stalk asi'the reciprocating head approaches the limit of its stroke in one direction, and for withdrawing the stalk engaging means from alinement with the stalk as the said head approaches the opposite limit of its stroke.

4. In a harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, stalk severing devices, and an impaling needle carried on the frame, means for conveying the impaled'stalk a limited distance upon the needle in upright position, and means for rotating the stalk about the impaling needle to recumbent position, substantially as specified.

5. In a harvesting machine, a traveling frame, stalk severing devices carried thereby, a support upon which the severed stalks 1 head, actuating means adapted by its initial movement to cause a swinging movement of the stalk severing means and by an additional movement to cause a reciprocatory movement of the head, and an impaling needle adapted to receive the stalk, substantially as specified.

7. In a harvesting machine, main frame, a reciprocating head, a pivoted lever carried by said head, a movable stalk severing member actuated by the oscillation of the said lever, a spring adapted by its ini tial operation to oscillate the lever to actuate the stalk severing device, and by further movement to reciprocate the head, substan tially as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a'harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, a spring actuated stalk severing device, means for holding said severing device in its set position with the spring under tension, and tripping mechanism operated by its engagement with the stalk to be harvested for releasing the stalk severing mechanism, substantially as specified.

9. In a harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, a sliding head, a movable stalk severing member carried by said head, a rereciprocatory ciprocating link adapted by its initial movement to actuate said severing member and by an additional movement to reciprocate the head, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, a reciprocating head, stalk engaging means carried by said head, actuating means for reciprocating the head adapted by its'initial movement to cause the engagement of said engaging means with the stalk and by a further movement adapted to reciprocate thehead and an impaling path of the stalk, substantially as specified. 11. In a harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, stalk severing devices, stalk engaging means, actuating means therefor adapted to move the engaging means into engagement with the forward side of the stalk, and thereafter to reciprocate such stalk engaging means, and an impaling needle projecting into the path of the stalk upon which the stalk is projected by the movement of the stalk engagingmeans, substantially as specified.

' ered stalk will be a traveling arcuate flange projecting upward from said.

cutting plate and adapted to engage the side of the ,severed stalk while the butt thereof rests on the cutting-plate, whereby the sevcarried with the severing device throughout a iven path of travel, substantially as speci ed.

13. In a harvesting machine, a traveling mam frame, ing a movable knife, a hook shaped supportlng 'member arranged above the plane of the knife and moving in unison therewith, said supporting member being adapted to engage the stalk and convey it laterally.

after severing, while the stalk remains in fied.

1f In a harvesting machine, a traveling mam frame, stalk severing devices, a needle upon which the stalks are to be impaled, a fixed guide located adjacent to the needle and extending parallel therewith and be-' yond the extremity of the needle, means for transporting the severed stalk while pressing it into engagement with the, said guide, thereby engaging the stalk with the needle in predetermined relation 15. In a harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, stalk severing devices, a needle upon ,Which the stalks are to be impaled, a guide for the severed stalks adapted tocenter the stalks in relation to the needle whereby the needle will be caused to engage the "stalk on substantially the medial l'ne, said guide being adjustable to and f om the needle to accommodate stalks of different diameters, said guide being adapted to be fixed in its adjusted positlon, substantially as specified.

16. In a harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, stalk severing devices, an impaling needle adapted to pierce the stalk, an extension of said needle extending upward and rearward from the severing devices, and means for sliding the impaled stalks throughout the length of said needle exjtienision to a receiver, substantially as speci- 17. In a harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, stalk severing devices, an impaling needle, a guide for the severed stalk and means for automatically pressing the severed stalk laterally into engagement with the guide for centering it in relation with the impaling needle and means for simultaneously shifting the stalk along said guide and onto the protruding substantially as specified] 18. In a harvesting machine, a traveling main frame, stalk severing devices, and stalk impaling means, of two parallel shoes yieldingly' pressed toward each other and'adaptstalk severing means comprisend of the needle, 7

an upright position, substantially as speciaaaapoe ed to pass on opposite sides of the standing in oscillatingarms, stalk to elevate the lowermost leaves above na ed in said whereby an oscillator said arms will cause a frame in unison adapted to receiv the lever of'the severing and impaling devices, substantially as specified.

19. In a harvesting machine, a. traveling pf the main frame, stalk severing devices, an imbeing paling'needle, a stalk support for the sevcollected stalks. ered stalk, said stalk support and impaling 26. In a harves needle being relatively adjustable one to main frame, stalk ward the other, a guide for the stalk to and stalk imp from which the stalk support is movable in upon which a transverse direction and with which the discharge mech support cooperates to center the stalk in re- 7 prising oscillating arms,

' led in said arms, the main frame lation with the needle.

to be impaled thereon, and a guide engaged and an opera by impaled stalks and unalined with the imsecond gea the sai paling needle adapted to cause the stalks to by be oscillated about the impaling needle. pen

needle after being impaled thereon.

main frame, stalk severing devices, an iming stantially as specified. upon it 23. In a harvesting machine, a traveling indepen main frame, stalk severing devices, a removstantia able hanger upon which the severed stalks are 28.- In a harves collected, an oscillatory carrier, a reversible main frame, stalk severing mean frame in said carrier on which the hanger impaling need and collected stalks are carried, and means gaging the nee for simultaneously oscillating the carrier inent therefor, m and reversing the frame to discharge the in engaged position matically relea 24:. In a harvesting machine, a traveling arm may y main frame, stalk severing devices and stalk impaled sta impaling devices, a removable support upon 29. In a h which the impaled stalks are collected dismain frame,

collected stalks.

charge mechanism for the support including impaling nee oscillating arms, a swinging frame joursaid needle, nalcd in said arms and adapted to receive engaging said needle, a trip 25. In a harvesting machine, a traveling of the impale main frame, stalk severing devices, and stalk between the impaling devices, a removable support upon whereby the engagemen which the impaled stalks are collected, diswith the trip Wi the support and collected stalks.

charge mechanism for the support compristhe supportin aling devices,

the impaled anism for th journa 20. In a harvesting machine, a traveling ried on main frame, stalk severing devices, an imber carried by one paling needle, means for causing the stalk and meshing with d the swinging d frame may be os dent of its oscillatory mov 21. In a harvesting machine, a traveling the oscillation of its support, main frame, stalk severing devices, an imas specified. paling needle, a cam shaped guide for the 27. In a harves impaled stalks extending from a point at main frame, stalk severin one side of the plane of the needle to a impaling devices, point at the opposite side of the plane of which the impaled s the needle in a position spaced away from charge mechanism the needle with which the stalks engage and prising oscillating arms, v by which the stalks are oscillated about the journaled in member carri ting machine,

ed on the main 22. In a harvesting machine, a traveling journaled on bearings on one arms, a gear paling needle, and a guide for the stalks so shaft and meshing wi located in relation to the needle as to center member, a gear the severed stalks in alinement with the swinging frame an needle, a stalk supporting member adapted carrie to press the stalk into engagement with the gear '0 member ca th said stationa ber carried (1 a second gear member ft and meshing with the frame, whereby an f the arm and gear n relation to the 105 ll be transmitted ame to oscillate said frame 11 the oscillating arms and n thereof, subd by said sha f the swinging guide and means to reciprocate the said suposcillatory move orting member whereby the stalk will be members carried shifted along said guide and by such shiftstationary gear m ing movement thrust upon the needle, subto the swinging fr s bearings i dent of the lly as specifi ting machine,

lever extendin t of the impal the withdrawal of ber from the needle.

the

ting machine, a traveling severing devices, and a removable support stalks are collected,

e support comframe gear mem er cara second gear memthe oscillating arms the first gear member, onnection between the frame wherecillated indeement due to substantially a traveling and stalk able support upon talks are collected, dis-' for the support coma swinging frame a'stationary gear frame, a shaft of the oscillatrried by said ry gear by the 100' a traveling s, a stalk op arm normally end forming an abuteans for locking said arm 1 5 and means for autod arm whereby the to permit the passage of an 1k, substantially as spe 'fi d arvesting machine, a

stalk severing dle, offset shoul member v ed stalk traveling,

a stalk ders formed on voted supporting member ers to support the g into the path 25 d stalk and operating meanssupporting 5 means,"thence upwar at an inclination; to. the path of travel of the stalks with which ,1 5 adapted to gage the position of the stalk durr1er to project the rotatable frame beyond 30: Ina harvesting machine,"a sawing ota] support for the severed. stalks, means main frame, stalk-severmg means, an unfor conveying the'plyotally supported stalks r alined stalk impalingneedle extending ho'nthrough a predetermined path of travel, and

zontally at a polnt. a'd'acent to the severing a gui e'member for the stalks-unalined with the horizontal thence horizontal an add i the stalks engage and by which the stalks tional length,.' and kmeans forshiftin'g the will be.oscillated about'their pivotalconimpaled stalks throng out the length ofthe nection.- i I unalined impaling needle, substantially as -34.-In a harvesting machine, a tra've 1o specified; v main frame, a stalk severin device, a ro- 31. In a, harvesting machine, a travel ng tatable-supporting frame upon which the main frame, stal'k' severing devices, an imsevered stalks are received priorto their paling needle, an abutment for the severed discharge from the machine, 'a carrier for stalk fixed in its relation wlth the needle the. rotatable frame, means toshift the car-' mg the impahng operation, and a movable the frame of the machine, and means to 1'0 stalk engaging member adapted to press'the tate the frame inrelation to the carrier to severed stalk against the abutment to center discharge: the severedstalks therefrom. the stalk in relation with the needle, and f 35. In a harvesting machine, a traveling 20 means for causing'the needle to be extended main frame, stalk severin devices, a varithrough the stalk while the latter is mainable frame upon' whicht e severed stalks. tained between the stalk engaging ember are received prior to their discharge from and abutment. the machine, said supporting frame being 32. In a harvesting machine, a traveling ,capable of simultaneous oscillatory and ro- 26 main frame, stalk severing devices, an imtary movement about difl'erent axes ofoscilpaling needle, oppositely disposed stalk enlation, and means for simultaneousl oscilgaging members variable ini their relation lating the frame about one axis an rotatone with the other between which the stalk ing it about-a second axis'to discharge the is. clamped in a position alined with the "severed stalks. v I 80 needle, and means for'causing the needle to Intestimony whereof, I have hereunto set 65 be extended through the stalk while the latmy hand this 10 dalv of February 1912. tef is maintained in alinement therewith by I ROBER .NEWTO-N KING. said stalk engaging members. Witnesses:

33. In a harvesting machine, a traveling HERBERT R. Smo wn's, 5 main frame, a stalk severing device, a. piv- DAISY MAE Cnawronn. 

